Hernandez pitches Timber Rattlers to victory over Loons

GRAND CHUTE - Nelson Hernandez allowed just three hits over seven innings, leading the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers over the Great Lakes Loons 4-3 on Thursday in a Midwest League game at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Hernandez (5-2) allowed one run while striking out eight to get the win.

Rodrigo Benoit struck out Brayan Morales with runners on second and third to end the game for his second save of the season.

The Rattlers (14-19) took the lead with two runs in the fourth. Tristen Lutz started the inning with a single and stole second. Payton Henry singled to drive in Lutz with the tying run and Henry was still at first with two outs when Zach Clark singled to right and Henry raced for third base.

Clark broke for second with Gabriel García at the plate in an attempt to draw a throw from Loons catcher Gersel Pitre. Pitre bluffed his throw to second and Henry broke for the plate only to find himself in no-man’s land. The Rattlers caught a break as Pitre’s pickoff throw hit Henry and deflected to foul territory and Henry scored to make it 2-1.

After Wisconsin added two runs, the Loons cut into the deficit in the eighth inning when Pitre and Brandon Montgomery hit RBI singles.